Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Shoot Days 1 & 2

Well, "Christmas" is finally here again!  (Below, the boxes that have been arriving at our house for the BHG shoot)


 Better Homes & Gardens Assistant Editor Joanna Linberg and stylist Jessica Thomas arrived at our house yesterday!! Joanna is writing the article & assisting Jessica in the set up, and Jessica is running the show.   The first thing we did was walk through the house & answer all the questions Jessica had.  She's incredibly detailed  (She even made sure we had enough chalk to write on the fridge!)  and I am floored by how well she nailed down my style.  (She's insanely talented & I'll be doing a post on her & her work soon!!)



Jessica checked out our wardrobe options and we didn't have what she was looking for :)  Since it's a Christmas shoot, of course we should look super-cozy & wintry but I'm not really fitting into any of my chunky winter sweaters right now and Dave's sweaters aren't so wintry.  So our task was to go shopping last night for winter sweaters. 



But before we did our family clothes shopping, Jessica needed some extra pieces for styling.  So I took Jessica & Joanna to some of my favorite shops:  On a Whim & the Old Lucketts Store.    (When they said they were going shopping I totally invited myself along!! I was way too excited to stay home ;)  Our first stop was On a Whim (below) owned by Donna Troxler who was so kind to let us borrow the items for the shoot free of charge.  We found the most beautiful ironstone pieces to use on the tabletops & to supplement the whiteware in my kitchen.  Donna's store is full of one-of-a-kind treasures & I never leave empty-handed.  Here's a pic of Joanna & Jessica choosing some pretty pieces:


Next up was Old Lucketts Store.  We were greeted by a smiling Lisa (below right) who always makes me feel so welcome.  They told us that during the snowstorms some of the women who worked at Lucketts had a  few-day-long slumber party in the Design House to ride out the storm & get the place shovelled out for customers!  (They had good food & wine & watched movies- how fun is that?!!)  Jessica found more goodies at Lucketts (how could you not?) and it was time to say goodbye.  Heather & Lisa helped check us out & were sweet as can be to let me take a pic with my phone:
     

When we got home, Joanna & Jessica headed out to run errands:  meeting with the bakery & a trip to Target among other things.  Dave & I headed to the mall on a search for winter sweaters.  It was bleak.  The stores have moved onto Spring clothes.  But we did it!  We found some good winter clothes. 

This morning after getting some of the custom things I'd had made by my workroom, I headed to my mommy work-out class with Christian & Justin.  When we got home at around 10:30, this is what we found: 


Joanna & Jessica had been hard at work & had turned our family room into a prop room!  And my laundry room (below) is now a flower shop!


 

Oh my goodness!!  Check out all these paperwhites:


And the cabbages:


The cut flowers were delivered locally and the Christmas tree & wreaths and greenery came from North Carolina.  They flew into the airport! ha!


My friend Amy (below) who works as a landscape designer at Merrifield Garden Center has been hard at work...


...  growing these:


Aren't they amazing???


WOW.   So today we pretty much just started setting everything up.  (I saw "we" but I was pretty worthless-  the baby does not want to be put down.)  They've also been incredibly sweet with Christian as he follows them - the "Homes and Gardens Ladies" as he says- around. Jessica let him eat some of the props today (clementines) and I think he's got a new favorite fruit.  (Joanna & Christian below): 


So, for now, the tree is up & decorated and the food is here.  (mm mm mm!) The rest of the things will be set up tomorrow when the photographer arrives.  And I'm ready for bed!!!  I'll keep you posted on the rest of the shoot, and Michele from My Knotting Hill's Guest Blogger Before & After post will be up later on this week!

xoxo,
lauren

71 comments:

Marija said...

Lauren - what fun and how terrific to have you giving us the play by play (as though you don't have enough going on!). Keep those pics coming, it will be so fun to see the prep AND the final product (even though we'll have to wait forever!! Have fun! Marija

Kelley at My Island Wedding said...

u can never have too many boxes of stuff u want on your dining room table...

and those blooming bulbs are just lovely...

-kelley

Amber B. said...

How exciting! I'm so happy for you--you've worked hard to create a beautiful home. It will be fun to see it in December! And I have a baby boy of my own who doesn't want to be put down!! I'm learning to do ALOT one-handed. Our first wasn't like this... :-)

CaRoLiNe said...

So I'm wondering, is Christian TOTALLY confused??? Does he think he's getting another round of presents? Haha. I love it!

bluehydrangea said...

I LOVE all the behind the scenes info. Thanks so much for sharing and may we have more please?

Tina said...

Eeeeek!!! How exciting Lauren:) It sounds like a lot of work, but oh so exciting!! Hope you enjoy every second of the experience (even if it is with only one hand free)! Christian is so cute, hope he isn't expecting Santa to come again so soon;) Have a wonderful week and thank you so much for sharing this experience with us Lauren, I for one, feel so lucky:) ~ Tina xx

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

How exciting!!! Love the flowers, wreaths, etc. Sounds like Santa will be there soon too :-)

xo,
cristin

La Dolfina said...

It all looks incredibly exciting!

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

So impressed you made the time to update us! I am glad you are having so much fun....cannot wait to see your beautiful home in the finished product! How did they like your new table?

Junkie Junkeldorf said...

This is so exciting...!!! Thanks for sharing.

Necel from the Old House in Texas

Kathysue said...

Lauren this is amazing and how fun for us to see the action. Who knew how much they add to homes to make it look just like they want. I am sure your home and your family will look as wonderful as it always does. Good luck and hang in there, this is soooo exciting, (squeel!!) Kathysue

Unknown said...

This is so exciting! I can't wait to see it all come together!

daninotes said...

So fun! Can't wait to see the pics from the shoot!

Natasha in Oz said...

I never knew there was so much work involved. Phew! I cannot wait to see your next post on the shoot.

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Stacey Merriman said...

This is SOOOO exciting! I can hardly wait to see this issue!! Your house is amazing normally, i cant wait to see it in all its Christmas glory!

Rie said...

Wow, that is soooo exciting!! I'm so excited for you!

Hamptontoes said...

Lauren,
All of your excitement is deserved! I like to see good things happen to good people! I'm impressed that you juggle so many balls, because it's not easy. Loved seeing all the photos! Have lots of fun!

MFAMB said...

so cool. christian is adorable.

Low Tide High Style said...

How exciting! I know you'll have a great shoot tomorrow! Here's to cozy winter sweaters and perfect pictures!

Kat :)

Anonymous said...

What fun!! I'm so excited for you. I always wonder how it comes together so I'm so glad you're giving us a play-by-play. Good luck with the photo shoot. Can't wait to see you in your winter sweater! xoRH

L said...

This is going to be so fun! I want all those props and pretty flowers in my house! (Although I'm sure it's feeling a bit chaotic, too.) I was just at Lucketts and On a Whim this past Sunday, and of course I didn't leave empty-handed. I'm excited to hear more about the shoot!

LindsB said...

I'm squealing with delight- this is soooo exciting!! I know its happening to you, but this post is so detailed and great I feel like its happening to all of us!!

I cant wait to see more, this is awesome!!!

Congrats again, you totally deserve it!

nelya said...

Lauren, this could not have happened to a sweeter person. I'm so excited for you. How fun and amazing. Thanks for all the behind-the-scenes peeks. Keep 'em coming!

Angie said...

How exciting!!!! I can't wait to see the issue! ;)

Melissa said...

Wow. I had no idea-- what a fun and hectic time!

Living It At Home said...

Lauren, I absolutely cannot wait for Christmas again at your house! This must be the most exciting experience for you...well, next to having your two little boys!

~jamilyn

DustyLu said...

I am so excited for you. Thanks for taking us along. Wow, this is amazing..You deserve it. I can't wait to see the issue. ~lulu

Tracy Watier said...

How fun! Can't wait to see more. What a process!

nell ann said...

I am new to your blog and am enjoying it so much!! I look forward to seeing more of the BGH stuff -- and an after picture of your kitchen island. We have the same issues and I am forever cleaning it off!

Fargerike Dagny said...

Waaa, I'm SO excited! How fun that they're adding all this stuff! Like getting your dream home without having to pay for it! (at least for a week or so...)

Can't wait for December!! And I hope Justin will get over his cholic asap! Have you tried acupuncture? Or chiropractor? (has worked wonders for some of my girlfriends babies)

pve design said...

Please tell me that your adorable self and clan will be in the photo shoot. I love the idea of Christmas all year long.
pve

alison giese Interiors said...

How thrilling! Thanks for sharing the behind-the-scenes process, so when we see your home in all its perfection, we'll have a bit of an idea what went into it! Can't wait!

meezo said...

Merry Christmas! This is so fun to experience this through your eyes. Thanks for sharing.

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Lauren,
You are the goddess of energy I swear!!! I love seeing all of this play by play...hopefully we will get to chat over lunch when it's all done! Excruciating that we have to wait so long to get our hands on the mag!!!

jvw home said...

Lauren,
You are a blessed girl! Please tell them I'd love for them to come shoot my house when our addition is finished in May....seriously!
(our home was featured yrs ago for Country Home...but it's changed ALOT since then ....an 1800's home in the hills of Austin (used to be owned by Carl Rove)....I hope to post some shots on my blog soon, right now it's too "construction messy"!
Enjoy your time w/BH&G...they are so talented & I can't wait to see the look (the cloches are going to be wonderful & I'm lovin' the neutral gorgeous flowers!!!)
Can't WAIT to see the rest....how FUN, FUN!!

All the best,
Jeanette
www.jvwhome.com
http://jvwhome.blogspot.com

lizziefitz said...

I will never look at a magazine picture the same again! There are so many details that I would have never even considered. I have a new found respect and appreciation, thanks for the lesson:)

Meredith said...

WOW! Thanks for sharing this with us!! Interesting to see how shoots are actualy set up!!!

1 Funky Woman said...

OOOH, I cannot wait to see the end result. I adore your house and am loving following you!

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

Thank you for giving us the play by play! How exciting for you and your family to enjoy this experience! Don't you love amaryllis? I like to give bulbs as gifts-because it such a surpise!
Have fun!
~Nancy

Melissa Marie Head said...

I am jealous - that sounds like so much fun! I can't wait to see how it all turns out. Also insanely cool that you are going to be in a magazine.

Tammy@InStitches said...

How lucky are we to get to see all the behind the scene action ? It looks like fun !

Jessica @ A Bushel and a Peck said...

Just realized that I live quite near wherever you are...and I will certainly be taking a trip to those stores in Leesburg!!! Woo-hoo!

Cottage Dreamers said...

I can only imagine how much fun and work is going into this! I can't wait to see it in the magazine!

DecRenew Interiors said...

Love the fresh wreaths and all the gorgeous florals. Can't wait to see them in place.

Ruthie

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Just Magic!

WHAT a budget too! I have no doubt they will make snow happen, also!

This is soooo fun to watch!!

DesignTies said...

Wow!! How totally cool to have a BHG photo shoot in your house!! And now the secret is out -- just because it looks like Christmas, doesn't mean it's Christmas!! ;-)

Sounds like you're all having a great time :-) Keep having fun!!

Kelly

Maria Killam said...

So fun to read about adventures in styling and photo shooting :) Can't wait to read more!!
x
Maria

mb said...

I love that you are keeping us in the loop. Wow. And the most amazing thing about you, besides that you are wonderfully talented and produce darling children, is that you just roll with the punches. You seem totally unflappable. What a gift to have in life.

Thank for the update.
xmb

Saara {www.varv.ca} said...

looks like so much fun! you're living my dream, enjoy it and let me know how it ends!

Andrea said...

So exciting!!! Waiting on pins & needles...

Sarah's Fab Day said...

So exciting! You deserve it Lauren, enjoy your 2nd Christmas!

Windlost said...

Lauren, this is so exciting - you must be right in your element. The house is going to look amazing - with your amazing start and these gals to add the icing on the cake with the flowers and food and whanots. Oh my, it will be stunning!! I can't wait. And beautiful you and handsome Dave in winter sweaters - how gorgeous you will look!!! High five!

xo Terri

debra @ 5th and state said...

just when you got organized!

this is a treat for all of your fans lauren, love watching the process and your family photo will be darling
enjoy!
debra

Jeannine | The Small and Chic Home said...

I'm late to see this, but just wanted to add my voice to the chorus. I'm so excited to see the results of all of this! Thanks for giving us a sneak peak from behind the scenes. :)

Wendy said...

How exciting! thanks for the behind-the-scenes peek!

Anonymous said...

How freakin fun! WOW! I have every finger crossed that my work makes it into a magazine one day. Congrats!
Best,
Amy Meier

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

WOW!What an exciting time for you(and all of us) Can hardly wait to see the rest!! Good luck! Chrissy

Chic Coles said...

We had no ides this is what goes on with a photo shoot. They sent you shopping for sweaters. All the flowers and props. This is just so exciting. Thank you so much for all the details. Can not wait for more!

paula said...

what fun! I so want to be in a mag now:)

Linda Merrill said...

You must be dying with excitement. Have fun Lauren!!

Ness Lockyer said...

Yay!!!
Cant wait to see it all done and it looks like you all had a ball.
ness aa

Anonymous said...

How exciting! I cannot wait to see the photographs.

Anonymous said...

This is so much fun!!! I'm so happy you're taking us along through the whole process. I can already tell it's going to be gorgeous! Have fun tomorrow!

Unknown said...

Very exciting! Those photo shoots are a TON or work, aren't they? Can't wait to see the final story!

Bonnie @ House of Grace said...

i just found your blog and i really like it. i am going to follow you!

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

That's awesome! How wonderful for you and your lovely home to be featured, and in BHG, no less! :) Thanks for sharing the "behind the scenes" stuff with us, it's too much fun!
Blessings,
Stacey

My Galveston Cottage said...

Oh wow!!
You sound like you're having such fun. Perfect.

Kare said...

Fun! Fun! Fun! I'm sure it will be purely beautiful...can't wait to see!! Enjoy...

Marcela Munoz said...

hello could you please tell me where you got that beautiful lantern ?
pretty please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marcela Munoz said...

hello could you please tell me where did you get the lantern

Patty said...

wow, absolutely beautiful. My home was photographed for Romantic Country (issue to be released later this month (March)) and the editor, Fifi, and photographer, Dan, were amazing, however no props were brought in. I'm sure it was fun to watch the transformation. Your house is incredible...I love your blog. Also, your children are adorable.